Fungal networks and orchid distribution: new insights from above- and below-ground analyses of fungal communities.

ABSTRACT: Orchids are critically dependent on fungi for seedling establishment and growth, so the distribution and diversity of orchids might depend on the associated fungal communities. We characterised the communities associated with eight orchid species in three Mediterranean protected areas, using a combination of above-ground analyses of sporophores and below-ground molecular analyses of orchid root samples. In three years of sporophore collection in 25 plots around flowering orchid plants, 268 macrofungal species belonging to 84 genera were observed. Statistical analyses indicated a correlation between macrofungal diversity and orchid community variation, regardless of the effect of environmental and spatial factors characterizing the investigated orchid sites. Fungal ITS-DNA PCR amplification

SUBMITTER: Pecoraro L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6048571 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature